ADA Door Requirements & Accessibility

What is ADA Compliance?
The ADA is a civil rights law designed to provide protection for people with disabilities. The law is divided into four major titles that prohibit discrimination against the disabled in:

• Employment — Title I
• Public Services and Transportation — Title II
• Public Accommodations — Title III
• Telecommunications — Title IV

What is Title III?
Title III encompasses doors and door controls, essentially stating that owners of certain types of buildings must remove barriers to openings of doorways and provide people with disabilities with access equal to, or similar to, that available to the general public. Learn more about Title III

What is an "accessible" opening?
The ADA defines an “accessible” opening as, among other things, comprising:

• a door with a minimum 32 Ì‹ (813 mm) clear opening
• easily manipulated handles
• a maximum OPENING FORCE similar to American
• National Standards Institute (ANSI) Standard A117.1**
• a minimum closing time
• the capability of opening to at least 90°

Which products can be used for ADA compliancy?
Any low energy operator Door Closers USA offers can be installed into a commercial facility to meet ADA compliancy for building entrances. Low energy operators range from Low-Moderate usage to Moderate-Heavy Usage.

Why do doors need to be self-closing?

Security– Doors to secured areas will always close and relock .

Energy Loss– Prevents energy loss for air-conditioned or heated facilities,particularly on exterior doors .

Sound Containment– Minimizes sound intrusion through open doors .

Push/Pull Doors– Holds door closed when the door is not self-latching .

Fire Doors– Underwriters Laboratories (UL) requires that any fire-listed door must be self-closing to stop the spread of fire.

What is a "Fire-Rated" door?
Doors sold as “Fire Doors” have passed certain fire tests conducted by an independent laboratory . This type of door is usually called a “Labeled Fire Door,” as the classification listing is shown on the door itself. Hardware used on these doors is also tested and required to meet certain standards.

How do you determine the sizing of a door closer?
The size of the closer doesn’t mean the physical size of the body. It means the size or strength of the spring contained within the body. Manufacturers size closers according to ANSI standards and UL listings, which require a minimum closing force between 3” to ½ of closing.



What are the accessibility requirements for door closers?
All accessibility requirements can be found on the ADA website.

What is the guideline for push button actuators for low energy operators?
According to the 2007 edition of ANSI/BHMA A156.19 – American National Standard for Power Assist and Low Energy Power Operated Doors requires low energy operators to be initiated by a “knowing act”, which is described as “consciously initiating the powered opening of a low-energy door using acceptable methods, including: wall- or jamb-mounted contact switcDC USA Approved such as push plates; fixed non-contact switches; the action of manual opening (pushing or pulling) a door; and controlled access devices such as keypads, card readers, and key switches.”

The guidelines for mounting actuators or push buttons are:

• Located within 1-5 feet from the door, never more than 12 feet.
• Remain accessible from the swing side when the door is opened.
• Cannot be located in a position where the user would be in the path of a moving door.
• Must be mounted so the user is in full sight of the door when activating the switch.
• Must have a minimum installation height of 34” and a maximum 48” off the floor.
• Complete ANSI/BHMA guidelines

Do you need a door closer on a fire door?
NFPA 80 requires that a closing device must be installed on every fire door.

Can a delayed-action closer be installed on a fire door?
Delayed-action closers can be used on fire door assemblies. Refer to the International Building Code (IBC) for detailed guidelines.

What is Proposition 65?
Proposition 65, also known as the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, is a California law that was approved by voters in November 1986. Its primary purpose is to protect California citizens from exposure to toxic chemicals by safeguarding the state’s drinking water sources. The statute prohibits businesses from knowingly discharging listed chemicals into drinking water sources. Learn more about Proposition 65.

Do your products have Environmental Product Declarations, Health Product Declarations, and Green Circle Certifications?
Yes our product declarations and certifications.